Love God Greatly: 1 & 2 ThessaloniansSample

Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

SOAP: 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

The joy of Paul’s life was pointing people to Christ. He viewed the believers in Thessalonica as his “crown,” and he felt responsible for spurring on their spiritual growth. Although opposition from the enemy had made it difficult for Paul to be physically present in Thessalonica, his heart still passionately pursued the believers there and pointed them to the coming return of Christ.

The enemy sought to thwart Paul’s plans to minister to the believers in Thessalonica, but God’s kingdom purposes cannot be thwarted. Rather than visit in person, Paul wrote this epistle, which we have the benefit of reading and learning from today. So, we too are also Paul’s glory and crown.

What is the joy of your life? Are you actively encouraging others to grow spiritually on a regular basis? Perhaps like Paul, you’ve faced a great deal of spiritual warfare and feel stuck. Rest in the knowledge that God’s plans for you are perfect, and whatever steps you take today to share His Good News will serve as your glory and joy on the magnificent day when you see Jesus face to face. Maybe you can write an email or call a friend to share your testimony. You don’t have to physically be in the same room with someone to impact another person’s life for eternity. Ask God to show you how you can creatively share the Gospel this week.

My King, thank You for coming to earth to pursue me and rescue me from my sin. Show me how I can pursue someone this week to bring a lost soul to salvation. I want to joyfully share You with others and see someone’s life changed. Amen